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Meet Joe!



What is your full name?
Joseph LaPrade Harwell, III


Where were you born?
Savannah, Georgia


When were you born?
July 2, 1976


Tell us about your family?
Joe and Diane Harwell are my parents. My mom is a 1st grade teacher at Islands elementary. She was just voted WTOC teacher of the month. I am very proud of her. My dad recently retired after 33 years with International Paper. We now consider him partially retired; he does a little consulting and a lot of shrimping. They both are avid tennis players. I have a sister, Julie, who is married to Chris Heyel. Julie has a son, Alex from her first marriage, and he is Julie and Chris’ pride and joy. Alex loves all sports (especially soccer, basketball, and tennis). Alex is a “trip” and is a blessing to our family.


What are some bands you currently like?
Coldplay, David Crowder Band, Sister Hazel, Dave Wilcox, Switchfoot, Dave Matthews Band, and David Grey


What sports do you like to play?
I am a sports nut, but the sports I am really into are: tennis, ultimate frisbee, basketball, and football.


If you could eat one thing from now until Jesus comes back, what would it be?
Sushi (Crispy Calamari roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Squid Salad)


What are your favorite movies?
Braveheart, Life As A House, Les Miserables, Patch Adams, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days


What are you scared of?
Heights and Snakes



Do you have any pet peeves?
Fakeness


If you could go back in time and spend one day, who would it be with and what would you do?
I would probably hang out with my grandparents (my mom’s folks). They were killed by a drunk driver when my mom was eight years old. I heard they were great folks. I think I would just sit around and hang out with them and just ask a lot of questions. Two others I would like to go get Sushi with (if they ate it) would be Jesus and the Rev. Martin Luther King. So much of what Jesus believed was demonstrated in the life of Martin Luther King. As far as Jesus is concerned, he was always the life of the party when he met with folks, and I would love to have a couple of hours to simply spend time with Jesus.


What is the most amazing place you visited?
The Grand Canyon has to be tops on my list. I stopped there on a cross country trip with my folks. A close second is the mountains of Western North Carolina (the Asheville area).


What books have influenced you the most?
The Bible, The Ragamuffin Gospel, A Prayer for Owen Meany, Mere Christianity, and Blue Like Jazz


What is the one scripture passage that is close to your heart?
Philippians 2:1-13
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Who has had the most influence on your life?
Ron Rowlett (friend, comedian, and mentor), Brad Anderson (example, and friend), Joe and Diane Harwell (parent, counselors, psychologists, and friends)


What is the one thing nobody knows about you?
I like “Chick flicks.” A second one is that no one believes that I played college tennis.


What is the one thing you hope to do in the near future?
Travel to Rome, Italy, and Greece and Turkey with friends and just backpack around and see the sites.